Imperial Structures of Egypt and Israel
AP World History Comparative Essay: Imperial Structures of Egypt and Israel
The richness and consistency of the annual Nile River flood, combined with isolation due to the deserts of the east and west, are leading factors into why Egypt is one of the world’s great civilizations. On the other hand, Israel’s strategic location has played an important role in world history, despite its small size and lack of resources. Although the imperial structures of Ancient Egypt and Israel have historical similarities in political and social hierarchy such as a monarchic systems of government and grave respect for their women, they have distinct differences that distinguish them from each other such as religion and their beliefs.
In political hierarchies, both Ancient Egypt and Imperial Israel relied on their monarchy to maintain order within their civilizations. Egypt’s growing population led to a more complex political organization, making imperial structures way more complex also. The political hierarchy of Egypt consisted of a Divine Kingship, where the kings were called pharaohs, which is another word for “palace”. Israel’s political structures and strategies were remarkably similar to the agrarian state of Egypt which was ruled by an elite. A religious leader by the name of Samuel recognized the need for a strong central authority so he anointed a man by the name of Saul to become the first king of Israel. Israel and Egypt both had a monarchy that was respected within their civilization.
Although women were not permitted to inherit property or initiate a divorce in Israel, they were greatly respected and had a strong influence over their husbands and the imperial structures that made up their community. In social hierarchy, both the women of Egypt and Israel were an essential part of the civilization. In Egypt women could indeed own and inherit property and dissolve their relationship if they pleased to do so. In both civilizations the women were treated with
The richness and consistency of the annual Nile River flood, combined with isolation due to the deserts of the east and west, are leading factors into why Egypt is one of the world’s great civilizations. On the other hand, Israel’s strategic location has played an important role in world history, despite its small size and lack of resources. Although the imperial structures of Ancient Egypt and Israel have historical similarities in political and social hierarchy such as a monarchic systems of government and grave respect for their women, they have distinct differences that distinguish them from each other such as religion and their beliefs.
In political hierarchies, both Ancient Egypt and Imperial Israel relied on their monarchy to maintain order within their civilizations. Egypt’s growing population led to a more complex political organization, making imperial structures way more complex also. The political hierarchy of Egypt consisted of a Divine Kingship, where the kings were called pharaohs, which is another word for “palace”. Israel’s political structures and strategies were remarkably similar to the agrarian state of Egypt which was ruled by an elite. A religious leader by the name of Samuel recognized the need for a strong central authority so he anointed a man by the name of Saul to become the first king of Israel. Israel and Egypt both had a monarchy that was respected within their civilization.
Although women were not permitted to inherit property or initiate a divorce in Israel, they were greatly respected and had a strong influence over their husbands and the imperial structures that made up their community. In social hierarchy, both the women of Egypt and Israel were an essential part of the civilization. In Egypt women could indeed own and inherit property and dissolve their relationship if they pleased to do so. In both civilizations the women were treated with